Russia outraged over US move to arm Ukraine, more sanctions

Russia today expressed outrage at the US Senate's approval of a bill to potentially provide lethal military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Kremlin-backed separatists, and to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow.
Moscow compared the legislation to a notorious Cold War-era provision and said it could poison bilateral ties and hinder cooperation on issues of global importance such as security.
"The openly confrontational nature of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act approved by both houses of the US Congress without debate and proper voting cannot cause anything but deep regret," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement.
Yesterday, US lawmakers approved new economic sanctions against Russia, dealing a new blow to the country's struggling economy.

The legislation also authorises -- but does not legally require -- US President Barack Obama to provide lethal and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, ammunition and "tactical troop-operated surveillance drones".
"A powerful bomb is being put under bilateral relations which is comparable to the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment that was adopted in 1974 and stood in the way of cooperation for several decades," Lukashevich said.

The Jackson-Vanik amendment, restricting trade privileges, was a Cold War-era provision aimed at putting pressure on the former Soviet Union and has come to symbolize festering antagonism between the Kremlin and Washington.
"We are under the impression that those in Washington, who just would not renounce old phobias, intend to turn back the clock," Lukashevich said in the statement.

"It would seem that serious challenges to international security call on Russia and the United States to join efforts," he added.
"At the same time US legislators are following in the footsteps of the Barack Obama administration by showing great zeal in destroying the framework of cooperation."
"We won't give in to blackmail, won't renounce our national interests and won't allow meddling in our domestic affairs.